60. Editorial Note
On April 7, 1965, President Johnson outlined in an address to the faculty and students of John Hopkins University a plan for a cooperative effort for development of Asia. Johnson stated his intention of asking the United States Congress to “join in billion dollar American investment in this effort as soon as it is underway.” The President envisioned the Mekong River providing “food, water, and power on a scale to dwarf even our own TVA,” modern medicine in Asiaʼs villages, schools to train potential managers, and U.S. farm surpluses feeding Asiaʼs needy. He announced his intention of naming Eugene Black, former President of the World Bank, to head the effort. The text of the speech is in Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1965, Book I, pages 394–399.